Obituary for William "Mike" Predmore
July 24, 1958 - March 6, 2014
New London, Pennsylvania | Age 55
William "Mike" Predmore, age 55, of New London, PA died after a brief illness on Thursday March 6, 2014 at University of Pennsylvania Hospital.
He was the husband of Lori Hilliard Predmore, with whom he shared 36 years of marriage.
Born in Springfield VA he was a son of the late Roy and Betty Neely Predmore.
After High school, Mike attended Robert Morris College in Pittsburgh.
In his youth, Mike enjoyed Boy scouts and earned the honor of Eagle Scout. As an adult he remained active with Boy scouts as assistant scout master for local troop 30 and was a Vigil Member of the order of Arrow.
Mike was a supply chain manager for Container Research Corp CRC in Aston PA.
He was a member of Assumption BVM Catholic church and was a past youth group leader. He was past president and current member of the Avon Grove Regional Emergency Management AGREM, the Emergency Management Coordinator for New London Twp., and an active member, assistant engineer, Trustee and multiple committee member of the West Grove Fire Company for over 20 years.
He organized the "Santa Visits" at area neighborhoods with this fire trucks. In addition to his family, the two love of his life were Dog Tanker 22 and his fire truck Elsie.
Survivors include in addition to his wife, one son, Mike Predmore of New London; one daughter, Lauren Predmore of New London; two sisters, Ann Neely Carpenter of Palmdale CA and Mary Beth McCall of West Chester; three nieces, Ashley, Megan and Melanie; Four Nephews, Jason Joshua, Jeff and Bryan; a sister in law Cindy Hilliard and his father in law, Frank Hilliard. He was predeceased by a son Johnathan.
You are invited to visit with Mike's family and friends from 5-8PM Thursday March 13, 2014 and from 9-10 AM Friday March 14 at Assumption BVM Catholic Church 300 State Rd. West Grove, PA 19390. His funeral service will be 10 AM Friday at the church.
Interment will be in New London Presbyterian Cemetery.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the West Grove Fire Company PO Box 201 West Grove, PA, 19390 for the antique program.
WEST GROVE — Mike Predmore, a volunteer firefighter known through the community for playing Santa Claus and restoring the West Grove Fire Company's antique pumper, died March 6 after a short illness.
Predmore, 55, was first assistant engineer of the fire company, joined the company in 1990 and in his capacity as engineer was responsible for care and maintaining firetrucks.
But his shining moments came when the members of the company had the opportunity to obtain and restore their original 1927 Hale pumper "Elsie", which had once been sold but became available about seven years ago.
The story is told that when the company was celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2005, the men discussed finding the pumper. About that time, then-Fire Chief John Chambers said he had received a call from a woman, Elsie Thorpe, in Tioga County, who said she had the pumper and wanted to sell it following the death of her husband.
Fire company member Bill Wohl said when they went to pick it up, the truck was dirty, dusty and in disrepair. But it was Predmore who was able to tool around with it and get it to start. As a tinkerer of old cars — he is said to have completely dismantled and reassembled a Model T Ford — he became the chairman of the Restoration Committee, Wohl said.
When the restoration was finished and it arrived in West Grove in 2012, Predmore said in an interview that he was thrilled not only with the appearance, but that it bore a new siren and a name plate that says, "Elsie" after Mrs. Thorpe, who had made the acquisition possible.
"It was his baby," Wohl said.
In the two years that followed, Predmore was responsible for Elsie and drove it in parades and other special occasions. Wohl said that Predmore was particularly excited about planning to go to the national Fire Department Instructors' Conference to be held in Indianapolis next month. He had received word that the Hale Company planned to showcase Elsie as the centerpiece of their display and he had planned to take it.
Another interest Predmore had in the old pumper was to use it for honoring fallen firefighters. He designed a wagon of sorts that attached to the rear of the pumper to carry the caskets of the deceased members. It is rumored that in his will he requested that his last ride would be in the back of Antique 22 (Elsie). Wohl said that request will be granted in his upcoming funeral procession on Friday.
But Elsie was not his only interest.
Every year at Christmas time, Predmore would dress up as Santa Claus and ride around in a fire truck to all the housing developments in the service area. He would get out of the truck and sit on the bumper listening to the children in turn telling him what they wanted for Christmas.
Wohl said this project started around Thanksgiving and went until late December. Often he did two or three neighborhoods in a day after having scheduled the times (dozens and dozens of them, Wohl said) with parents.
Wohl also said that if a fire call came during the neighborhood visits, Predmore would get on the truck and respond to the fire immediately. Last December there was a serious fire, and Predmore showed up to rescue two children in his Santa costume from a neighborhood visit.
Predmore was also active in the Boy Scouts and in the safety programs that have been carried on by fire company member Lisa Glass. During these programs, members of the fire company go to schools and give demonstrations not only about escaping burning homes, but also about the dangers of drunk driving at prom time.
His funeral will be Friday, March 14, at 10 a.m. at Assumption BVM Church on State Road. Viewings will be 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and 9 to 10 a.m. on Friday at the church. The procession with Elsie and fire trucks to the cemetery will immediately follow the funeral on Friday.
By Chris Barber, Daily Local News
Posted: 03/08/14, 4:58 PM EST
July 24, 1958 - March 6, 2014
New London, Pennsylvania | Age 55
William "Mike" Predmore, age 55, of New London, PA died after a brief illness on Thursday March 6, 2014 at University of Pennsylvania Hospital.
He was the husband of Lori Hilliard Predmore, with whom he shared 36 years of marriage.
Born in Springfield VA he was a son of the late Roy and Betty Neely Predmore.
After High school, Mike attended Robert Morris College in Pittsburgh.
In his youth, Mike enjoyed Boy scouts and earned the honor of Eagle Scout. As an adult he remained active with Boy scouts as assistant scout master for local troop 30 and was a Vigil Member of the order of Arrow.
Mike was a supply chain manager for Container Research Corp CRC in Aston PA.
He was a member of Assumption BVM Catholic church and was a past youth group leader. He was past president and current member of the Avon Grove Regional Emergency Management AGREM, the Emergency Management Coordinator for New London Twp., and an active member, assistant engineer, Trustee and multiple committee member of the West Grove Fire Company for over 20 years.
He organized the "Santa Visits" at area neighborhoods with this fire trucks. In addition to his family, the two love of his life were Dog Tanker 22 and his fire truck Elsie.
Survivors include in addition to his wife, one son, Mike Predmore of New London; one daughter, Lauren Predmore of New London; two sisters, Ann Neely Carpenter of Palmdale CA and Mary Beth McCall of West Chester; three nieces, Ashley, Megan and Melanie; Four Nephews, Jason Joshua, Jeff and Bryan; a sister in law Cindy Hilliard and his father in law, Frank Hilliard. He was predeceased by a son Johnathan.
You are invited to visit with Mike's family and friends from 5-8PM Thursday March 13, 2014 and from 9-10 AM Friday March 14 at Assumption BVM Catholic Church 300 State Rd. West Grove, PA 19390. His funeral service will be 10 AM Friday at the church.
Interment will be in New London Presbyterian Cemetery.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the West Grove Fire Company PO Box 201 West Grove, PA, 19390 for the antique program.
WEST GROVE — Mike Predmore, a volunteer firefighter known through the community for playing Santa Claus and restoring the West Grove Fire Company's antique pumper, died March 6 after a short illness.
Predmore, 55, was first assistant engineer of the fire company, joined the company in 1990 and in his capacity as engineer was responsible for care and maintaining firetrucks.
But his shining moments came when the members of the company had the opportunity to obtain and restore their original 1927 Hale pumper "Elsie", which had once been sold but became available about seven years ago.
The story is told that when the company was celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2005, the men discussed finding the pumper. About that time, then-Fire Chief John Chambers said he had received a call from a woman, Elsie Thorpe, in Tioga County, who said she had the pumper and wanted to sell it following the death of her husband.
Fire company member Bill Wohl said when they went to pick it up, the truck was dirty, dusty and in disrepair. But it was Predmore who was able to tool around with it and get it to start. As a tinkerer of old cars — he is said to have completely dismantled and reassembled a Model T Ford — he became the chairman of the Restoration Committee, Wohl said.
When the restoration was finished and it arrived in West Grove in 2012, Predmore said in an interview that he was thrilled not only with the appearance, but that it bore a new siren and a name plate that says, "Elsie" after Mrs. Thorpe, who had made the acquisition possible.
"It was his baby," Wohl said.
In the two years that followed, Predmore was responsible for Elsie and drove it in parades and other special occasions. Wohl said that Predmore was particularly excited about planning to go to the national Fire Department Instructors' Conference to be held in Indianapolis next month. He had received word that the Hale Company planned to showcase Elsie as the centerpiece of their display and he had planned to take it.
Another interest Predmore had in the old pumper was to use it for honoring fallen firefighters. He designed a wagon of sorts that attached to the rear of the pumper to carry the caskets of the deceased members. It is rumored that in his will he requested that his last ride would be in the back of Antique 22 (Elsie). Wohl said that request will be granted in his upcoming funeral procession on Friday.
But Elsie was not his only interest.
Every year at Christmas time, Predmore would dress up as Santa Claus and ride around in a fire truck to all the housing developments in the service area. He would get out of the truck and sit on the bumper listening to the children in turn telling him what they wanted for Christmas.
Wohl said this project started around Thanksgiving and went until late December. Often he did two or three neighborhoods in a day after having scheduled the times (dozens and dozens of them, Wohl said) with parents.
Wohl also said that if a fire call came during the neighborhood visits, Predmore would get on the truck and respond to the fire immediately. Last December there was a serious fire, and Predmore showed up to rescue two children in his Santa costume from a neighborhood visit.
Predmore was also active in the Boy Scouts and in the safety programs that have been carried on by fire company member Lisa Glass. During these programs, members of the fire company go to schools and give demonstrations not only about escaping burning homes, but also about the dangers of drunk driving at prom time.
His funeral will be Friday, March 14, at 10 a.m. at Assumption BVM Church on State Road. Viewings will be 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and 9 to 10 a.m. on Friday at the church. The procession with Elsie and fire trucks to the cemetery will immediately follow the funeral on Friday.
By Chris Barber, Daily Local News
Posted: 03/08/14, 4:58 PM EST
Obituary for William "Mike" Predmore
July 24, 1958 - March 6, 2014
New London, Pennsylvania | Age 55
William "Mike" Predmore, age 55, of New London, PA died after a brief illness on Thursday March 6, 2014 at University of Pennsylvania Hospital.
He was the husband of Lori Hilliard Predmore, with whom he shared 36 years of marriage.
Born in Springfield VA he was a son of the late Roy and Betty Neely Predmore.
After High school, Mike attended Robert Morris College in Pittsburgh.
In his youth, Mike enjoyed Boy scouts and earned the honor of Eagle Scout. As an adult he remained active with Boy scouts as assistant scout master for local troop 30 and was a Vigil Member of the order of Arrow.
Mike was a supply chain manager for Container Research Corp CRC in Aston PA.
He was a member of Assumption BVM Catholic church and was a past youth group leader. He was past president and current member of the Avon Grove Regional Emergency Management AGREM, the Emergency Management Coordinator for New London Twp., and an active member, assistant engineer, Trustee and multiple committee member of the West Grove Fire Company for over 20 years.
He organized the "Santa Visits" at area neighborhoods with this fire trucks. In addition to his family, the two love of his life were Dog Tanker 22 and his fire truck Elsie.
Survivors include in addition to his wife, one son, Mike Predmore of New London; one daughter, Lauren Predmore of New London; two sisters, Ann Neely Carpenter of Palmdale CA and Mary Beth McCall of West Chester; three nieces, Ashley, Megan and Melanie; Four Nephews, Jason Joshua, Jeff and Bryan; a sister in law Cindy Hilliard and his father in law, Frank Hilliard. He was predeceased by a son Johnathan.
You are invited to visit with Mike's family and friends from 5-8PM Thursday March 13, 2014 and from 9-10 AM Friday March 14 at Assumption BVM Catholic Church 300 State Rd. West Grove, PA 19390. His funeral service will be 10 AM Friday at the church.
Interment will be in New London Presbyterian Cemetery.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the West Grove Fire Company PO Box 201 West Grove, PA, 19390 for the antique program.
WEST GROVE — Mike Predmore, a volunteer firefighter known through the community for playing Santa Claus and restoring the West Grove Fire Company's antique pumper, died March 6 after a short illness.
Predmore, 55, was first assistant engineer of the fire company, joined the company in 1990 and in his capacity as engineer was responsible for care and maintaining firetrucks.
But his shining moments came when the members of the company had the opportunity to obtain and restore their original 1927 Hale pumper "Elsie", which had once been sold but became available about seven years ago.
The story is told that when the company was celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2005, the men discussed finding the pumper. About that time, then-Fire Chief John Chambers said he had received a call from a woman, Elsie Thorpe, in Tioga County, who said she had the pumper and wanted to sell it following the death of her husband.
Fire company member Bill Wohl said when they went to pick it up, the truck was dirty, dusty and in disrepair. But it was Predmore who was able to tool around with it and get it to start. As a tinkerer of old cars — he is said to have completely dismantled and reassembled a Model T Ford — he became the chairman of the Restoration Committee, Wohl said.
When the restoration was finished and it arrived in West Grove in 2012, Predmore said in an interview that he was thrilled not only with the appearance, but that it bore a new siren and a name plate that says, "Elsie" after Mrs. Thorpe, who had made the acquisition possible.
"It was his baby," Wohl said.
In the two years that followed, Predmore was responsible for Elsie and drove it in parades and other special occasions. Wohl said that Predmore was particularly excited about planning to go to the national Fire Department Instructors' Conference to be held in Indianapolis next month. He had received word that the Hale Company planned to showcase Elsie as the centerpiece of their display and he had planned to take it.
Another interest Predmore had in the old pumper was to use it for honoring fallen firefighters. He designed a wagon of sorts that attached to the rear of the pumper to carry the caskets of the deceased members. It is rumored that in his will he requested that his last ride would be in the back of Antique 22 (Elsie). Wohl said that request will be granted in his upcoming funeral procession on Friday.
But Elsie was not his only interest.
Every year at Christmas time, Predmore would dress up as Santa Claus and ride around in a fire truck to all the housing developments in the service area. He would get out of the truck and sit on the bumper listening to the children in turn telling him what they wanted for Christmas.
Wohl said this project started around Thanksgiving and went until late December. Often he did two or three neighborhoods in a day after having scheduled the times (dozens and dozens of them, Wohl said) with parents.
Wohl also said that if a fire call came during the neighborhood visits, Predmore would get on the truck and respond to the fire immediately. Last December there was a serious fire, and Predmore showed up to rescue two children in his Santa costume from a neighborhood visit.
Predmore was also active in the Boy Scouts and in the safety programs that have been carried on by fire company member Lisa Glass. During these programs, members of the fire company go to schools and give demonstrations not only about escaping burning homes, but also about the dangers of drunk driving at prom time.
His funeral will be Friday, March 14, at 10 a.m. at Assumption BVM Church on State Road. Viewings will be 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and 9 to 10 a.m. on Friday at the church. The procession with Elsie and fire trucks to the cemetery will immediately follow the funeral on Friday.
By Chris Barber, Daily Local News
Posted: 03/08/14, 4:58 PM EST
July 24, 1958 - March 6, 2014
New London, Pennsylvania | Age 55
William "Mike" Predmore, age 55, of New London, PA died after a brief illness on Thursday March 6, 2014 at University of Pennsylvania Hospital.
He was the husband of Lori Hilliard Predmore, with whom he shared 36 years of marriage.
Born in Springfield VA he was a son of the late Roy and Betty Neely Predmore.
After High school, Mike attended Robert Morris College in Pittsburgh.
In his youth, Mike enjoyed Boy scouts and earned the honor of Eagle Scout. As an adult he remained active with Boy scouts as assistant scout master for local troop 30 and was a Vigil Member of the order of Arrow.
Mike was a supply chain manager for Container Research Corp CRC in Aston PA.
He was a member of Assumption BVM Catholic church and was a past youth group leader. He was past president and current member of the Avon Grove Regional Emergency Management AGREM, the Emergency Management Coordinator for New London Twp., and an active member, assistant engineer, Trustee and multiple committee member of the West Grove Fire Company for over 20 years.
He organized the "Santa Visits" at area neighborhoods with this fire trucks. In addition to his family, the two love of his life were Dog Tanker 22 and his fire truck Elsie.
Survivors include in addition to his wife, one son, Mike Predmore of New London; one daughter, Lauren Predmore of New London; two sisters, Ann Neely Carpenter of Palmdale CA and Mary Beth McCall of West Chester; three nieces, Ashley, Megan and Melanie; Four Nephews, Jason Joshua, Jeff and Bryan; a sister in law Cindy Hilliard and his father in law, Frank Hilliard. He was predeceased by a son Johnathan.
You are invited to visit with Mike's family and friends from 5-8PM Thursday March 13, 2014 and from 9-10 AM Friday March 14 at Assumption BVM Catholic Church 300 State Rd. West Grove, PA 19390. His funeral service will be 10 AM Friday at the church.
Interment will be in New London Presbyterian Cemetery.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the West Grove Fire Company PO Box 201 West Grove, PA, 19390 for the antique program.
WEST GROVE — Mike Predmore, a volunteer firefighter known through the community for playing Santa Claus and restoring the West Grove Fire Company's antique pumper, died March 6 after a short illness.
Predmore, 55, was first assistant engineer of the fire company, joined the company in 1990 and in his capacity as engineer was responsible for care and maintaining firetrucks.
But his shining moments came when the members of the company had the opportunity to obtain and restore their original 1927 Hale pumper "Elsie", which had once been sold but became available about seven years ago.
The story is told that when the company was celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2005, the men discussed finding the pumper. About that time, then-Fire Chief John Chambers said he had received a call from a woman, Elsie Thorpe, in Tioga County, who said she had the pumper and wanted to sell it following the death of her husband.
Fire company member Bill Wohl said when they went to pick it up, the truck was dirty, dusty and in disrepair. But it was Predmore who was able to tool around with it and get it to start. As a tinkerer of old cars — he is said to have completely dismantled and reassembled a Model T Ford — he became the chairman of the Restoration Committee, Wohl said.
When the restoration was finished and it arrived in West Grove in 2012, Predmore said in an interview that he was thrilled not only with the appearance, but that it bore a new siren and a name plate that says, "Elsie" after Mrs. Thorpe, who had made the acquisition possible.
"It was his baby," Wohl said.
In the two years that followed, Predmore was responsible for Elsie and drove it in parades and other special occasions. Wohl said that Predmore was particularly excited about planning to go to the national Fire Department Instructors' Conference to be held in Indianapolis next month. He had received word that the Hale Company planned to showcase Elsie as the centerpiece of their display and he had planned to take it.
Another interest Predmore had in the old pumper was to use it for honoring fallen firefighters. He designed a wagon of sorts that attached to the rear of the pumper to carry the caskets of the deceased members. It is rumored that in his will he requested that his last ride would be in the back of Antique 22 (Elsie). Wohl said that request will be granted in his upcoming funeral procession on Friday.
But Elsie was not his only interest.
Every year at Christmas time, Predmore would dress up as Santa Claus and ride around in a fire truck to all the housing developments in the service area. He would get out of the truck and sit on the bumper listening to the children in turn telling him what they wanted for Christmas.
Wohl said this project started around Thanksgiving and went until late December. Often he did two or three neighborhoods in a day after having scheduled the times (dozens and dozens of them, Wohl said) with parents.
Wohl also said that if a fire call came during the neighborhood visits, Predmore would get on the truck and respond to the fire immediately. Last December there was a serious fire, and Predmore showed up to rescue two children in his Santa costume from a neighborhood visit.
Predmore was also active in the Boy Scouts and in the safety programs that have been carried on by fire company member Lisa Glass. During these programs, members of the fire company go to schools and give demonstrations not only about escaping burning homes, but also about the dangers of drunk driving at prom time.
His funeral will be Friday, March 14, at 10 a.m. at Assumption BVM Church on State Road. Viewings will be 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and 9 to 10 a.m. on Friday at the church. The procession with Elsie and fire trucks to the cemetery will immediately follow the funeral on Friday.
By Chris Barber, Daily Local News
Posted: 03/08/14, 4:58 PM EST
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